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stephnagel

Kitchen wall color

stephnagel
11 years ago
New construction home w/ cream painted cabinets & faux granite formica countertops (Bella Capri Wilsonart HD). Installing cream subway tiles as a backsplash this weekend, but cannot decide on a paint color for the walls. Have tried numerous bright yellows, but they only end up making the cabinets look yellow(er). Not sure what direction to go. LR is Grant Beige; DR is Benjamin Moore Halo w/ blue accents...both can be seen from kitchen, but not really open floorplan. Any suggestions? (I'm learning I don't like dark colors on the wall)

Comments (27)

  • PRO
    Pyramid Design Group Architects
    11 years ago
    USE A BROWNISH COLOR FROM YOUR LAMINATE--MOST IMPORTANT PAINT THE WHITE DOOR AS WELL AS TH;E WALLS THE SAME COLOR--I.E. "PAINT OUT" THE DOOR!!
  • PRO
    Stanton Designs-online design services
    11 years ago
    Going off the previous comment....I would suggest another option would be painting the white door the same color as your cabinets, it will create a smoother transition on that wall, and will keep your eyes moving from corner to corner....instead of stopping at the end of the cabinets.
  • PRO
    SPACIALISTS
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Hi stephnagel,
    Here are a few options you may consider. Hope they help!
  • PRO
    Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.
    11 years ago
    Hi stephnagel, marie here.
    If you don't like the tone on tone cream and white - then go to a soft warm gray - like Womb by general paint, or Turbo which may be too dark.

    Find the gray undertone in your countertop and/or flooring, put that on the walls. That should be the winning combination from your door and trim colour to cabinetry.

    Big mistake made in not choosing the proper trim paint to compliment your cabinetry...huge correction in labour to fix! Which, you may need to do because it is glaring obvious how white the doors and trim are to your cabinets, making your cabinets look dirty...
  • Amy Stanley
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    I was thinking a caramel color would look nice- would BM classic caramel, caramel apple or roxbury caramel be considered too dark for you? I wouldn't paint your door since you have white trim and frames in the room and around your house. Perhaps You could find a tile back splash that has cream and white in it to tie together the whites? * There is a color called Brandy cream by BM that pretty much ties into your cabinets and would pop the white frames and doors but leave a mono chromatic look to the kitchen. You counter-tops then would become the pop.
  • PRO
    A Crew of Two
    11 years ago
    BM Mellowed Ivory? It goes well with blue and yellows.
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    Thank you all so much. I'll post a picture when I'm done & I'll try painting the door leading out to the garage to tone it down. I think I'll look for a light caramel color first & then resort to a gray if I can't find one light enough. Thanks again.
  • Lkristine
    11 years ago
    Here is Caramel Apple, BM.
  • kurfurst
    11 years ago
    Benjamin Moore Rocky Road (CC-470)
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    UPDATE: I have painted the trim & door BM Linen White to blend better w/ the cabinets. Since this door is in the corner I am holding off on repainting ALL the trim in the entire house Linen White. The wall color is Springfield Tan. It matches the brown tones in the countertop & I am living with the dark color until our backsplash goes up...then I'll decide. Once all is complete I'll post the final picture. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!
  • PRO
    Gabberts Design Studio
    11 years ago
    Much better! I love how the door/trim match the cabinets. Looks crisp and clean. Can't wait to see the backsplash installed!
  • Laurie Fryett
    11 years ago
    what application did you use to try different wall colors in your kitchen?
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    Laurie, The last picture I posted is the actual color that I painted on the wall. However, a few others posted pictures with "sample colors" using a free download from either Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams website. It allows you to upload your picture & then "paint it" any of their colors using the software. One word of caution though...the colors (at least on my computer screen) come out MUCH lighter than they really are. Lkristine posted my picture w/ BM Caramel Apple. I liked it, so I picked up a card w/ Caramel Apple & it's much darker than the image shows. It is, however, fun to see what different colors will look like. Also, I just bought paint samples & tried a bunch before I decided to go with the neutral brownish color for the kitchen. Good look & hope this helps!
  • Laurie Fryett
    11 years ago
    I love that you can 'paint it' any of their colors. I might have to try it with colors for kitchen. Thanks!
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    FINAL UPDATE: Installed daltile 3 x 6 subway tiles in "biscuit" color w/ bone colored grout this weekend. Also, installed under cabinet led lights. (hubby did most of the work) My camera is not very good, so I hope the pics are ok. We love the clean look of the subway tile & it really polishes the look of the kitchen. Now I just need to decide what goes back on the countertops :) Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions, especially painting the door! Didn't even have that on the radar screen. What started out as just a paint job for the kitchen turned into a whole weekend + project, but we're very happy w/ results. Thanks again!
  • lisalovesquilts
    11 years ago
    What a lovely job, the colour looks as good in the bright light as in the pictures with less light. Elegant and warm.
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    Thank you lisalovesquilts!
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    Believe it or not...now I'm thinking of changing out the hardware from the brushed nickel to oil rubbed bronze :) Like everything else, the cabinet hardware was already installed when we purchased the house. Now that I've gone w/ the darker, warm wall color (which I've decieded to keep) thinking about hardware. Any thoughts? There's a lot of stainless appliances, so maybe the brushed nickel is better - not sure.
  • highlandlass42 Moretti
    11 years ago
    You've done a lovely job - very nice calm kitchen in warm inviting colours. I like the fixtures you have - darker would really stand out. If you do change up what's there, get some nice brushed nickel like you suggested and go bold! More pictures when you get done, please! :)
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    highlandlass42 Moretti...thanks for your comments. Now that I've thought about it more, I think you're right. I'll just work on accessories, etc. & keep the hardware the same. I still have curtains to hang, which will bring in some more colors. Now onto the eat-in area & hallway :) Would love suggestions for wall color & rug, etc. Also, valance across whole "bump out/slider" area or only over two side windows...or not at all? I have enough of the kitchen curtains (valances w/ swag on ends) to do it all...gift from dear MIL. Thanks!
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    p.s. I know the light is hung too low...again, it was like that when we moved in. It's on the "honey do" list :)
  • highlandlass42 Moretti
    11 years ago
    First of all let me say, I could move right into your kitchen - its great! I don't think your light is too low - the standard is to hang it 30" to 36" above the table and yours looks just right to me! I think I'd get a nice oblong table runner in a burnt orange (I think that's the colour in the carpet under the table) or a moss green. As for colour for the walls, I'd carry the colour you already used in the kitchen right on through so it doesn't look too chopped up, or go 2 shades deeper - you have good light in that area. When you hang valances over the bay area - go to the ceiling. I see that the 2 windows flanking the slider door are taller than the door. Another little thing - get a bigger dish for your lovely lemons!!! I love lemon and lime displays in kitchens. I can also see into your other rooms and think you have a knack for decorating - well done :)
  • lesliemahler
    11 years ago
    Love what you've done :)
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    To highlandlass42 Moretti...thank you for your kind comments. Thanks also to lesliemahler. The rug is Dash & Albert Saranac, mostly red, but I've never really loved the rug & it was so faded & dirty that I recently turned it over. It's cotton & difficult to vacuum...so thinking about an indoor/outdoor for replacement. (I have four kids!) Attaching picture of curtain fabric I'm using to bring in some color..will hang them as high as I can. Love the idea of using burnt orange...love oranges & rusty reds. So, about carrying the color through the eat-in area...the wall that leads into the lr (w/ the Good Food sign) continues down a long narrow hallway to the front door. I'm not sure I want Springfield Tan throughout my hallway...I feel like I'd have to carry it up the stairs & into the upstairs hallway, which is already really dark. Could I stop the color after the bumpout & have a complimentary color for the hallways? Or possibly go a shade or two lighter instead of darker. About the lemons...they do look lonely there in the middle of the counter, but I only had five lemons in the frig & I wanted to get my picture posted. Lastly, I measured from the tabletop to the light & it's 24", so I'll move it up to the 30" mark. Thanks again!
  • highlandlass42 Moretti
    11 years ago
    I just love your living room - I could move right in - move over!!! yes, I think you can carry the colour down the hallway on both sides, but stop at the opening on the left and do a lighter shade up the stairs and through the hallway upstairs. I love the carpet, but can see why its hard to vacuum - gets right into the machine I bet!!! Try to find something similar if you can. The valances will look great in that fabric - lots of colours there to draw from and I think you like to decorate with fruits (I saw some pears on your counter). Go and buy more lemons and limes as well (joking) hahaha. Love you home! :)
  • stephnagel
    Original Author
    11 years ago
    Thanks highlandlass42 Moretti for your help. Will post a 2nd final update when I'm done:)